Chapter twenty-six - Confocal Fluorescent Microscopy Using a Nipkow Scanner

Abstract

This chapter discusses the construction, applications, benefits, and future prospects of the Nipkow disk confocal scanner unit named CSU10. CSU10 allows 3-D observation of living cells and tissues at a scanning rate of 360 frames per second with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This system is developed with an aim to track in real-time very rapid dynamic physiological processes in living cells and organs—such as that of the nervous system—at 1 ms speeds. CUS10 integrates the advantages of the various technologies developed, which are related to microscopy, to bring out the best. Confocal microscopy technology has contributed greatly to advances in life-science research by enabling studies on intact living specimens. It is the result of the integration of technologies such as fluorescence microscopy, computers, lasers, imaging devices, and image processing software with advanced optical and mechanical engineering. CSU10 has made real-time and real-color 4-D observation possible. By taking advantage of rapid advances in all relevant technologies, further development in confocal microscopy is expected to the extent that it will be possible to facilitate the observation of a single molecule in living specimens in real-time.